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Monday, December 17, 2012

PSA: Safety Countdown to Christmas

With the holiday season fast approaching, the Calgary Fire Department would like to provide Calgarians with seasonal safety tips in the days leading up to Christmas.

Today, the Calgary Fire Department would like to provide tips to help ensure you have a safe tree.

If choosing a ‘real’ tree, ensure that it is freshly cut. It stays green longer and poses less of a fire hazard. Fresh trees lose very few needles when tapped on the ground. Needles should bend, not break, and the stump should be sticky with resin.

Choose a sturdy tree stand with a broad base. The base of the tree should be constantly immersed in a large reservoir of water. A tree with high moisture content is safer, because it is less flammable.

Set up your tree away from heat and ignition sources such as radiators, fireplaces, heaters, heat ducts or electronics which heat up.

Never use lit candles on a tree. Ensure lights are appropriate for indoor use and are ULC (Underwriters Laboratories of Canada) and CSA (Canadian Standards Association) approved. Always turn off Christmas tree lights when going to bed or leaving the home. Always read manufacturer’s instructions.

After the holidays, properly dispose of the tree as soon as possible. The City of Calgary has a tree recycling program and for details you can visit.